Need Some Help With My 1996 Strat (usa), Maybe a general-ish appraisal? Options

[telray]

So, I have a 1996 Strat,
Serial number: N6106374
The tag also says "Part Number: 10-7400-728"

(Not certain what the part number means ... )

At any rate, all was well with the guitar until (as you can see in the one picture) I decided to (carefully) sand the neck in one of my younger, misguided late-teenage years. Ahem.

It's pretty much in great shape other than that. The finish is really thin, so there are a few chips ...

It came in the standard black plastic case.

Any ideas? I'm in need of all kinds of help if I want to sell it carefully on eBay and not do myself or anyone else a disservice ...

The other part that doesn't show up with my digital camera is the figuring on the body -- bookmatched, but dark, almost black lines running in a pattern in the wood. (?) Odd.

So ... fire at will, and ... try to help me out here

-telray

Attached File(s)

 strat_002.jpg ( 119.22K ) Number of downloads: 94
 strat_003.jpg ( 96.71K ) Number of downloads: 108
 strat_004.jpg ( 141.22K ) Number of downloads: 111
 strat_006.jpg ( 63.66K ) Number of downloads: 133

 

[Tom Watson]

Have you checked completed auctions for '96 Strats to see what they've been selling for? That should give you a ballpark idea.

Doing the listing is relatively easy, just tell viewers as much about the guitar as you can - disclose everything in an accurate manner. If you're worried that the market will punish you more than you're willing to bear for sanding the neck, set a reserve.

But do your homework on eBay first to get a feel for how much they've been selling.

[telray]

Have you checked completed auctions for '96 Strats to see what they've been selling for? That should give you a ballpark idea.

Doing the listing is relatively easy, just tell viewers as much about the guitar as you can - disclose everything in an accurate manner. If you're worried that the market will punish you more than you're willing to bear for sanding the neck, set a reserve.

But do your homework on eBay first to get a feel for how much they've been selling.

Dear Tom,

Thank you. I've done the first part that you mentioned -- and the other parts as well, to some degree (although I am still trying to sell it locally, rather than work with shipping it -- yet.)

Any opinions (from you, or anyone --) about degradation of value by sanding a neck?

I can't figure that part out; Fender sells artistically ... well, trashed Strats ... (kinda like someone took a belt sander to the guitar and *increased* the value) ... and they sell.

Does Martin have a Willie Nelson model? Complete with gaping hole?

Straying into hypotheticals,
Brent

[Tom Watson]

It would be guesswork - 10-30% - but it really depends on how the sanding issue sits with particular bidders.

If you have a ballpark idea of what similar models (unsanded) have been going for, settle on a number below which it just doesn't make sense to you to sell it and use that number as your reserve or opening bid.

The problem with sanding is an eBay buyer can't determine the extent or affect of the sanding from photos or description (though you should try to describe it). It's something you'd have to feel to see how it strikes you, which might mean a local, in-hand sale could be the way to go.

[telray]

The problem with sanding is an eBay buyer can't determine the extent or affect of the sanding from photos or description (though you should try to describe it). It's something you'd have to feel to see how it strikes you, which might mean a local, in-hand sale could be the way to go.

Tom,
Thank you; excellent points. 10-30% sounds good to me; I was thinking of reducing the price by the going rate of a "brand new" neck.

Actually, the finish on the neck began peeling off a couple of years after I bought it, which is why I sanded it.

You're right -- I might even end up selling it on consignment locally. The owner of the local guitar (Fender) shop [ http://www.colfaxguitarshop.com/ ] told me that my guitar's neck exhibited the same finish problems as many others from that year, circa 1995-1996.

In that sense, there was very little sanding involved -- most of the finish "popped" right off of the wood, as it had never really adhered, for some reason.

Stays in tune, though, for months, so I doubt there's anything structurally wrong; just a bad neck-spraying day at the Fender factory ... hmmm. Oh well.

-Brent

[telray]

Hmm. It's a nicer guitar, overall, than some of the "mint" ones from that year that sold on eBay recently; not as pedigreed as some of the ones with fancy tweed cases -- I think, from my research, that in perfect shape, it would bring around USD$1300 -- I've asked $500 for it, but, eh? -- I think that's fair -- my own prejudice. Just seems like a nice Strat, overall. Hmm.

-Brent

[stratoman]

I picked up 2 this summer, $725.00 & $ 835.00 they look great .and sound great

[Perris]

Hey Telray...
Still around? What did you end up getting for your strat? It is still a good looking guitar.